It is one of the frequently asked questions among new vapers about how long the e-liquid will last after purchasing it. They also get worried about vaping expired juice. Is there any harm in vaping expired juice? Or, does the vape juice actually taste bad over time? This article will answer all your questions.

How Long Does The E-Liquid Last?

Just like food, e-liquids come with expiration dates before which they are best used. After that date, your e-liquid will no longer be of the same quality. Based on the ingredients, manufacturers set the expiry date. Here is a brief discussion on how the date is determined using the ingredients.

PG, or Propylene Glycol, has a shelf life of 2 years, whereas VG, or Vegetable Glycerin, lasts up to 4-6 years. Generally, the flavours of e-liquids last up to 1 year, but the use of PG or VG can extend their lifespan, along with their flavours. 

Moreover, the date of expiry also depends on the production of the e-liquid. If the e-liquid in the UK was created in a laboratory by a qualified chemist, it will last longer than the product manufactured in a random place. Laboratory-made products are generally safer and often taste better as well. 

How To Know That The E-Liquid Has Expired? 

As soon as you reach the bottle of e-liquid that was in stock and out of sight, the first thing you may rush to do is check the e-liquid expiration date. So, has the date passed or gone by? Unfortunately, if you can’t find the expiration date, here are a few things you must check:

  • Storage: Was your e-liquid stored in an unsuitable location? Sometimes, e-liquid can spoil before the estimated date if it is not stored properly. So, you inspect it carefully as soon as you get it for vaping.
  • Separation: Upon carefully watching the e-liquid, you will find the heavier and denser elements of the e-liquid have sunk to the bottom of the bottle. As soon as you shake the bottle, you will find how easily they mix with each other. However, if you find that the content is still separated after a lot of shaking, then probably your choice has gone for a toss.
  • Smell: Just like other edible liquids like milk or fruit juice, if you find an unpleasant smell coming from the e-liquid, then your e-liquid has expired. In the case of most e-liquids, you will not get a drastic change in the look and smell of the e-liquid. So, if you find the smell and look of the liquid a bit odd, then it is not for your use. 

How To Stock Your E-Liquid?

The best way to store e-liquid is to place it in a cool, dark area, away from sunlight. The heat from the sunlight will cause the e-liquid solution to break down. Hence, experts from Voro Vape advise avoiding leaving your liquids on the window sills and inside your car as well. If you have already done so, the best way to ensure the quality of the e-liquid is to check its colour. 

E-liquid starts to take on a yellow hue and becomes darker over time. To combat this situation, you should take a bottle of dark colour and tightly seal it whenever you are not using it. 

How Does The Presence Of Nicotine Impact The Usability Of E-Liquid?

It is irrelevant to say that e-liquid without nicotine tends to have a longer shelf life than the nicotine-infused liquids. Nicotine has its own expiration date, and if you eliminate this ingredient, the shelf life of the e-liquid completely depends on the PG and VG. 

The breakdown process of the nicotine-infused e-liquids makes nicotine less effective. As a result, the 6-milligram liquid may feel like giving a 3-mg hit.

What To Do With The Expired E-Liquid?

Have you ended up with a few bottles of spoiled e-liquids? If yes, then you must dispose of the liquids responsibly. And, there are several methods of doing so:

  • You can dump the e-liquid down the drain.
  • Pour the unused e-juice in the kitty litter bag. Since the cat litter absorbs the liquid, it keeps other animals from getting sick when they get into the garbage.
  • Mix your unused e-juice with water and use the solution across your garden. Since plant-eating insects dislike nicotine, you can spray the solution on your plants to keep the pests away. 

If you find yourself frequently disposing of unused e-liquid, then it’s high time to reconsider the amount of liquid you buy at a time. It will be better if you buy a smaller quantity for a few weeks. The fresher the bottle, the better the taste!

Now, you know how to store e-liquid to make it last longer and what to do with liquids that are no longer in use. Follow these basic things and stock up the e-juice in a manageable way.